Parliamentary Links Day
Links Day is the largest science event on the annual Parliamentary events calendar, and is organised by the Royal Society of Biology on behalf of the science and technology community. The event has a different theme each year and brings together scientists, learned societies and Members of Parliament.
The event is funded by the RSB Parliamentary Steering Group, which is comprised: Anatomical Society, Applied Microbiology International, Association of Applied Biologists, Biochemical Society, British Ecological Society, British Pharmacological Society, British Society for Immunology, Council for the Mathematical Sciences, Genetics Society, Geological Society, Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry, Society for Experimental Biology, and Society for Radiological Protection.
Parliamentary Links Day, Wednesday 18 June 2025
This year, Parliamentary Links Day was a ‘drop-in' style opportunity to network with PSG members and parliamentarians, including a short welcome, Keynote speech, and networking, followed by lunch.
The theme for this year's event was due to be Science and the next Parliament but the event was postponed due to the UK General Election. The RSB Parliamentary Steering Group held a reception in Parliament in December 2024, as a key opportunity to meet and engage with the new Parliament.
The theme for this year's event was Science and Economic Development and took place in the Attlee Suite of Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament.
The theme for this year's event was Science and International Collaboration. It took place in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament.
Watch the event on YouTube.
The theme for the 2021 event was Science and Climate Change. The event took place virtually and was chaired by Stephen Metcalfe MP, chair of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee.
Watch the event on YouTube.
This year's theme was Public Trust in Science. Regrettably technical difficulties with the broadcast meant registrants could not watch the discussions live, but questions were relayed to the speakers and a selection of videos from the event are available on YouTube.
The theme for this year's event was Science and the New Frontiers.
The event was opened by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP, with keynote addresses from the Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy Chi Onwurah MP, the Rt Hon Sir Norman Lamb MP chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, and Chris Skidmore MP Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.
The two panel sessions were chaired by Stephen Metcalfe MP and Carol Monaghan MP, both members of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee.
The theme for 2018 was Science and the Industrial Strategy. The event was opened for the 10th year by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP with introductions from the Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy Chi Onwurah MP and Government Chief Scientific Advisor Dr Patrick Vallance.
There were also keynote speeches from Rebecca Endean, UKRI, Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP, House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee Chair.
The two panel sessions, chaired by BBC science correspondent Pallab Ghosh, dealt with The Mission and The Target of the Industrial Strategy. Stephen Metcalfe MP of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee closed proceedings.
Our 2017 theme was UK Science and Global Opportunities?. The event was opened by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP with introductions from the Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Jo Johnson MP and Chair Designate of UKRI Sir John Kingman.
The two panel sessions, chaired by BBC science correspondent Pallab Ghosh, dealt with Science and Europe and Science and the World. Stephen Metcalfe MP of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee closed proceedings.
The event was followed by a networking reception and a lunch at the House of Lords, with a keynote address from Professor Alex Halliday FRS, vice president of the Royal Society.
Our 2016 theme was Science After the Referendum: What Next?. The event was opened by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP with introductions from the Minister for Universities and Science Jo Johnson MP and Chair of the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee Nicola Blackwood MP.
The two panel sessions dealt with Science and Europe and Science and the World. Lord O’Neill, Commercial Secretary to HM Treasury, and Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society, closed proceedings.
Science and the New Parliament was the theme of Parliamentary Links Day 2015. Speakers explored the value of science nationally and internationally.
Science and Public Trust was the theme of Parliamentary Links Day 2014. This year, speakers explored the importance of effectively engaging UK citizens with science and policy.
The 2013 Parliamentary Links Day focused on the theme of Diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, and explored the under-representation of women, people with disabilities, and minority ethnic groups at various stages of the STEM pipeline.
The Society of Biology organised Parliamentary Links Day 2012 on behalf of the scientific community to strengthen dialogue with Parliament, and to provide MPs with a more rounded understanding of the scientific issues we face. The topical theme was 'Science and Sport'.
Parliamentary Engagement